N. C. treasurer candidates: Pension fund needs options

Gone are the days when North Carolina's treasurer would fill time overseeing municipal finances and the pensions of government retirees. Next month, voters will choose between two candidates looking to leave the state legislature for the Treasurer's Office. Democrat Janet Cowell and Republican Bill Daughtridge describe big plans for the office, and both have been mentioned as candidates for higher office someday.

Gone are the days when North Carolina's treasurer would fill time overseeing municipal finances and the pensions of government retirees.

Richard Moore, the outgoing treasurer, has been a frequent guest on CNBC, a board member of the New York Stock Exchange and a runner-up for the Democratic nomination for governor. Expect Moore's successor to try to maintain a similar profile.

Next month, voters will choose between two candidates looking to leave the state legislature for the Treasurer's Office. Democrat Janet Cowell and Republican Bill Daughtridge describe big plans for the office, and both have been mentioned as candidates for higher office someday.

The treasurer is the state's top financial official, overseeing a roughly $70 billion pension fund and payments to retirees. The treasurer helps oversee state and local debt, manages an unclaimed property fund and regulates state-chartered banks.